Information processing apparatus, information processing method, program, and information processing system

ABSTRACT

There is provided an information processing apparatus including a correspondence relationship information change unit for changing a correspondence relationship information indicating each correspondence relationship between a plurality of image pickup devices and a plurality of controllers, the image pickup devices and the controllers being associated with each other, the controller being used to operate at least one of the plurality of image pickup devices, and the controller being capable of operating the image pickup device associated with the controller.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus,an information processing method, a program, and an informationprocessing system.

A digital camera which is configured to convert an optical image for asubject into electrical signals by an image pickup device and to storethe electrical signals in an external storage medium has come intowidespread use by the general public. In recent years, with thedevelopment of information processing technique, it has become possibleto directly connect the digital camera with an interface such as akeyboard, a mouse, or a projector and thus to operate the digital cameravia the interface (for example, see Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-open No. 2002-314863).

SUMMARY

However, the digitization of image pickup devices represented by stillcameras or video cameras has been taking place in not only an imagepickup device for the general public use but also an image pickup devicefor the business (broadcast) use. When an image pickup device is usedfor the business (broadcast) use, in numerous instances, there isprovided with a remote controller configured to remotely operate acamera main body for practically capturing a subject. A user can operatea variety of buttons, levers, knobs, or the like provided in the remotecontroller, thereby controlling the image pickup conditions of arelevant camera main body.

For example, when a program for television broadcasting is produced,since a plurality of image pickup devices for broadcasting is oftenemployed, the number of the remote controller to be provided will becomeincreased accordingly. The master setup unit implemented in hardware hasbeen used to centrally manage the configuration of such plurality ofimage pickup devices and remote controllers.

On the other hand, with the development of information processingtechnique, the attempt for controlling a camera main body or remotecontroller by software has been considered, by realizing functions ofthe master setup unit implemented in hardware by software and thenexecuting the software in an information processing apparatus such as apersonal computer. However, when a user intends to control a camera mainbody by operating an input device such as a keyboard or mouse connectedto the information processing apparatus on which software is executed,since the user is familiar with the existing way of controlling a cameramain body by using the remote controller implemented in hardware, theuser feels uncomfortable in operability of software, thereby causing theoccurrence of degradation of operability. Therefore, it has been desiredto control a camera main body without impairing operability, even when acamera main body is managed and controlled by using an external devicesuch as a personal computer.

In light of the foregoing, it is desirable to provide an informationprocessing apparatus, an information processing method, a program, andan information processing system, capable of controlling a plurality ofimage pickup devices without impairing operability.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is providedan information processing apparatus which includes a correspondencerelationship information change unit for changing correspondencerelationship information indicating each correspondence relationshipbetween a plurality of image pickup devices and a plurality ofcontrollers, the image pickup devices and the controllers are associatedwith each other, the controller is used to operate at least one of theplurality of image pickup devices, and the controller is capable ofoperating the image pickup device associated with the controller.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is providedan information processing method which includes changing correspondencerelationship information indicating each correspondence relationshipbetween a plurality of image pickup devices and a plurality ofcontrollers, the image pickup devices and the controllers are associatedwith each other, the controller is used to operate at least one of theplurality of image pickup devices, and the controller is capable ofoperating the image pickup device associated with the controller.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provideda program for causing a computer to realize a correspondencerelationship information change function for changing correspondencerelationship information indicating each correspondence relationshipbetween a plurality of image pickup devices and a plurality ofcontrollers, the image pickup devices and the controllers are associatedwith each other, the controller is used to operate at least one of theplurality of image pickup devices, and the controller is capable ofoperating the image pickup device associated with the controller.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is providedan information processing system which includes a plurality of imagepickup devices, a plurality of controllers for operating at least one ofthe plurality of image pickup devices, and an information processingapparatus described above.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, correspondencerelationship information indicating each correspondence relationshipbetween a plurality of image pickup devices and a plurality ofcontrollers for operating at least one of the plurality of image pickupdevices can be changed.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above,it is possible to control a plurality of image pickup devices withoutimpairing operability, thereby improving user's convenience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information processingsystem according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an external appearance of a remotecontrol panel according to the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the remotecontrol panel according to the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of aninformation processing apparatus according to the first embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display window of theinformation processing apparatus according to the first embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display window of theinformation processing apparatus according to the first embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of correspondencerelationship information indicating a correspondence relationshipbetween a camera and a remote control panel according to the firstembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary procedure of a controlprocess in the remote control panel according to the first embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary procedure of a controlprocess in the remote control panel according to the first embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary procedure of aninformation processing method according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardwareconfiguration of an information processing apparatus according to theembodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed in detail with reference to the appended drawings. Note that,in this specification and the appended drawings, structural elementsthat have substantially the same function and structure are denoted withthe same reference numerals, and repeated explanation of thesestructural elements is omitted.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. In addition,the description will be made in the following order.

1. First Embodiment

-   -   1-1. Information Processing System    -   1-2. Remote Control Panel    -   1-3. Information Processing Apparatus    -   1-4. Procedure of Process in Remote Control Panel    -   1-5. Information Processing Method

2. Hardware Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus accordingto the embodiment of the present disclosure

First Embodiment

<Information Processing System>

An information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment ofthe present disclosure will be briefly described with reference toFIG. 1. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the information processingsystem according to the embodiment. An image pickup device controlsystem which is configured to include an image pickup device forbroadcasting will be described below.

The information processing system 1 according to the present embodimentmainly includes a plurality of camera heads 10, a plurality of cameracontrol units (CCUs) 20, a plurality of remote control panels (RCPs) 30,a master setup unit (MSU) 40, and an information processing apparatus100.

The camera head 10 is an image pickup device for broadcasting which isused to capture a subject. The camera head 10 may be a studio cameramounted on a camera pedestal, and also may be so-called shoulder mountcameras such as those used for carrying on a cameraman's shoulder. Thecamera head 10 is connected to the camera control unit 20 (to be furtherdescribed later) by a connection cable such as a triaxial cable or anoptical fiber.

The camera control unit (CCU) 20 is a device for remotely controllingthe exposure, image quality or the like of each camera head 10. Thecamera control unit (CCU) 20 can transmit a high quality image data to adesired apparatus. The image data is a subject-related image datagenerated in the camera head 10. Identification information (forexample, an ID number) for specifying a camera head 10 controlled by aCCU 20 is assigned to the CCU 20. The CCUs 20 are connected to both themaster setup unit 40 (to be described later) and the informationprocessing apparatus 100 via a hub, thereby enabling the CCUs 20 tocommunicate with the master setup unit 40 and the information processingapparatus 100. Alternatively, the CCU 20 may be indirectly connected toboth the master setup unit 40 and the information processing apparatus100 via the remote control panels 30 (to be described later).

The CCU 20 also may be directly connected to the remote control panel 30through a predetermined cable or may be indirectly connected to theremote control panel 30 via a hub. The remote control panel 30 is usedto remotely control the exposure or image quality of each correspondingcamera head 10.

The remote control panel (RCP) 30 is a device used to remotely operateeach camera head 10 from a remote location such as an operating room ofa studio. Typically, each of the RCP 30 is associated with correspondingone of the camera head 10 located in the information processing system 1(more specifically, an RCP connected to a CCU is associated with acamera head which is controlled by the CCU connected to the RCP). TheRCP 30 can control the exposure or image quality of the associatedcamera head 10. Identification information (for example, an ID number)is used to specify the RCP 30.

The master setup unit (MSU) 40 is a control panel which is used toremotely operate the exposure or image quality of each of a plurality ofcamera heads 10 connected to the information processing system 1 via theCCUs 20 associated with each camera head 10. The MSU 40 can centrallymanage an operating status of a plurality of camera heads 10 or RCPs 30which are connected to the information processing system 1. The MSU 40is used to control the image quality of a camera by a user often calleda video engineer when operation or maintenance is performed.

As described above, an RCP 30 typically can control a camera head 10physically connected to the RCP 30 by a connection cable and so on. Inthe example shown in FIG. 1, the RCP 30 to which “1” is assigned as anidentification number (ID=1) can control the camera head 10 assigned asID=1. The RCP 30 assigned as ID=2 can control the camera head 10assigned as ID=2. However, if there is a mechanism for changing onecamera head 10 controllable by an RCP 30 into another camera head 10controllable by the RCP 30 without changing a physical connection, thena user can make effective use of the system as shown in FIG. 1. Thus,the MSU 40 has an ability (RCP assignment function) to change a camerahead controllable by an RCP 30 into another while maintaining a physicalconnection relationship as shown in FIG. 1.

By using the RCP assignment function, in the example shown in FIG. 1, itis possible to change the camera head 10 remotely operable by the RCP 30assigned as ID=1 into the camera head 10 assigned as ID=2. As a result,it is possible to operate the camera head assigned as ID=2 using the RCP30 assigned as ID=1.

However, since the RCP assignment function implemented in the MSU 40sets the correspondence relationship between camera heads and RCPs whilemaintaining physical connections, in the example described above, theRCP 30 of ID=1 associated with the camera head 10 of ID=2 may notoperate the camera head 10 of ID=1 during maintaining theabove-described setting.

Therefore, in the information processing system 1 according to theembodiment, an information processing apparatus 100 (described furtherbelow) is included in an image pickup processing system having thecamera head 10, the CCU 20, the RCP 30, and the MSU 40. By including theinformation processing apparatus 100, in the information processingsystem 1 according to the embodiment, it is possible to dynamicallychange the correspondence relationship between the camera head 10 andthe RCP 30 by operating a graphical user interface (GUI) of theinformation processing apparatus 100.

The information processing apparatus 100 is an apparatus which serves asa MSU by executing software (hereinafter referred to as “MSU software”)implementing the function of the MSU 40 capable of individually managingand controlling a plurality of camera heads 10. The execution ofsoftware is implemented by a CPU and so on included in the informationprocessing apparatus 100. The information processing apparatus 100 maycontrol the entire system on behalf of the MSU 40, in cooperation withthe MSU 40, or by assisting the MSU 40. The information processingapparatus 100 may be any suitable type of computer such as a desktop ornotebook that is capable of executing the MSU software regardless of itsshape or function.

A variety of information such as settings and operating status of cameraheads in the system can be displayed in the form of a list on a screenof the information processing apparatus 100 by implementing the functionof the MSU as software. The display of information is done by using theGUI having a high degree of freedom. Thus, user's convenience isimproved. In addition, in the MSU 40 implemented as hardware, itsthroughput is limited by the throughput of a microprocessor incorporatedin the hardware. However, it is possible to utilize the full CPU powerof the information processing apparatus 100 and to improve itsthroughput by implementing the function of the MSU as software.

In addition, as described above, the information processing apparatus100 executing the MSU software dynamically changes a correspondencerelationship between the camera head 10 and the RCP 30 by the operationof GUI, and the information processing apparatus 100 has a function ofcausing the RCP 30 implemented by hardware to follow the operation bysoftware (the function is hereinafter referred to as “RCP Linkagefunction”).

As described below, the RCP Linkage function is a function that relatesan RCP 30 to the RCP Linkage function beforehand, when a camera head 10to be operated through the GUI is selected, it allows the camera head 10selected through the GUI to be operable by the RCP 30 associated withthe RCP Linkage function. In this case, the GUI is a type of software.As an example shown in FIG. 1, when the RCP 30 of ID=4 is associatedwith the RCP Linkage function and the camera head 10 of ID=1 is selectedthrough the GUI of the information processing apparatus 100, it ispossible to operate the camera head 10 by the RCP 30 of ID=4.Subsequently, when the camera head 10 of ID=3 is selected through theGUI of the information processing apparatus 100, it is possible tooperate the camera head 10 of ID=3 by the RCP 30 of ID=4.

With implementing this RCP Linkage function, when any one RCP 30 locatedin the vicinity of the information processing apparatus 100 isassociated with the RCP Linkage function, it is possible to operate acamera head 10 to be operated by the adjacent RCP 30 by selecting thecamera head 10 to be operated through the GUI of the informationprocessing apparatus 100. This enables a user to effectively control acamera head 10, without moving the camera head 10 to be operated to theremote controllable location of an RCP 30 and then operating the camerahead 10. In addition, the user can use a more familiar hardware havingbuttons or the like suitable for the control of camera head 10, therebymaintaining and improving operability of the system.

Hereinbefore, the information processing system 1 according to theembodiment has been briefly described with reference to FIG. 1.

<Remote Control Panel>

Next, prior to describing the information processing apparatus 100according to the embodiment, the remote control panel 30 will be brieflydescribed with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. FIG. 2 is a diagramillustrating an external appearance of the remote control panel 30according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating anexemplary configuration of the remote control panel 30 according to theembodiment.

The remote control panel (RCP) 30 is a hardware used to control theexposure or image quality of a camera head 10. The RCP 30 is providedwith a variety of buttons, knobs, or the like used to control theexposure or image quality of a camera head 10, as shown by the externalappearance of FIG. 2.

Each of the RCPs 30 may include an image quality adjusting operationunit 31 and an exposure adjusting operation unit 33, as shown in FIG. 2.The image quality adjusting operation unit 31 is configured to controlthe conditions for determining the image quality of white balance, blackbalance, flare balance, and so on. The exposure adjusting operation unit33 is configured to control the conditions used to decide the iris(aperture) and exposure of the camera head 10.

The user can control the exposure or image quality of a camera head 10by operating buttons 35 or knobs 37 with reference to configurationdetails (for example, the number of an operable camera head 10 or apreset value of iris) displayed on a display panel 39.

Each of the RCPs 30 mainly includes a camera control unit 301, a useroperation information obtaining unit 303, a display control unit 305,and a storage unit 307, as shown in FIG. 3.

The camera control unit 301 is implemented by a CPU (Central ProcessingUnit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), acommunication device, and so on. The camera control unit 301 is aprocessing unit which realizes camera head control function included inthe RCP 30.

The camera control unit 301 refers to correspondence relationshipinformation related to the correspondence relationship between a camerahead 10 and an RCP 30 on a regular basis. The correspondencerelationship information is stored in the MSU 40 or the informationprocessing apparatus 100 (further described later). The camera controlunit 301 decides which one of camera heads 10 can be operated by the RCP30. The camera control unit 301 applies information to camera settingdata stored in the storage unit 307 (further described later) or thelike. The information is related to the camera head 10 operable by theRCP 30.

In addition, the camera control unit 301 generates a control signalcorresponding to user operations on the basis of information indicatingthe details of the user operations. The user operations are notifiedfrom the user operation information obtaining unit 303 (furtherdescribed later), and the user operations are performed by a user usinga variety of buttons shown in FIG. 2. The camera control unit 301 thenoutputs the generated control signal to the camera head 10 correspondingto the RCP 30. This enables the RCP 30 to control the exposure or imagequality of the camera head 10 corresponding to the itself.

In addition, the camera control unit 301 refers to the camera settingdata stored in the storage unit 307 (further described later) or thelike. By referring to the camera setting data, the camera control unit301 instructs the display control unit 305 to cause the display panel 39to display a variety of condition settings of the camera head 10 whichis associated with the RCP 30.

The user operation information obtaining unit 303 is implemented by, forexample, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an input device. The user operationinformation obtaining unit 303 specifies operations (for example,operations performed by a user) and generates user operation informationrelated to the user operation. The user operations are performed by auser using a variety of buttons 35 or knobs 37 of the RCP 30. The useroperation information obtaining unit 303 then outputs the generated useroperation information to the camera control unit 301.

The display control unit 305 is implemented by, for example, a CPU, aROM, a RAM, and an output device. The display control unit 305 controlsthe display content of the display panel 39 provided at the RCP 30. Forexample, display control unit 305 causes the display panel 39 to displaydata such as a variety of condition settings of the camera head 10. Thecondition settings are notified from the camera control unit 301. Thisenables the user (operator) of the RCP 30 to know various conditionswhich are set in the camera head 10 associated with the RCP 30.

The storage unit 307 is implemented by a RAM or storage device includedin the RCP 30. The storage unit 307 stores identification informationtherein which indicates the camera head 10 associated with the RCP 30 orstores camera setting data having a setting data or the like of thecamera head 10. Also, a variety of parameters or interim reports of aprocess to be saved at a time when the RCP 30 according to the presentembodiment performs any process, various types of database or program,or the like are appropriately recorded on the storage unit 307. Thecamera control unit 301, the user operation information obtaining unit303, and a display control unit 305 can freely read and write data fromand to the storage unit 307.

As described above, one example of functions performed by the remotecontrol panel 30 according to the present embodiment has been described.The respective components described above may be configured usinggeneral purpose elements or circuits, and may be configured by hardwarededicated for the function of the respective components. Alternatively,all of the functions of the components may be performed by a CPU and thelike. Accordingly, the hardware configuration to be used can be changedor modified as appropriate according to the technical level at the timeof carrying out the present embodiment.

<Information Processing Apparatus>

Subsequently, the information processing apparatus 100 according to thepresent embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7.FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of theinformation processing apparatus 100 according to the presentembodiment. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are diagrams illustrating an example of agraphical user interface (GUI) of the information processing apparatus100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagramillustrating an example of correspondence relationship informationaccording to the present embodiment.

The configuration of the information processing apparatus 100 accordingto the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4.The information processing apparatus 100 according to the presentembodiment mainly includes a central control unit 101, a display controlunit 103, a user operation information obtaining unit 105, a camera andRCP control unit 107, a correspondence relationship information changeunit 109, and a storage unit 111, as shown in FIG. 4.

The central control unit 101 is implemented by, for example, a CPU, aROM, a RAM, and so on. The central control unit 101 implements functionsof the MSU 40 of the information processing apparatus 100 by executingMSU software which is a software implementing the function of the MSU40. And then, the central control unit 101 controls the implementedfunctions of the MSU 40 in a central control manner.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a GUI which is output toa display device such as a display of the information processingapparatus 100 by the MSU software executed by the central control unit101. The functions of the MSU which is provided by the informationprocessing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment are dividedbroadly into three types of functions: an overhead view function ofsystem, a component management function of system, and a monitoringfunction of system.

Specifically, the overhead view function of system is a function whichallows a plurality of parameters related to any one camera head 10 to bechecked or operated in a single screen, or which allows a plurality ofparameters related to a plurality of camera heads 10 to be checked oroperated in a table form. The component management function of system isa function which allows for the content check or simple edition of ascene file captured by a camera head 10, which allows for the filing ofparameters of the camera head 10 included in the system, or which allowsfor the conversion of a present setting value of the system component, acontent of a scene file, or a self-diagnosis result into a file having apredetermined file format such as a CSV format. The monitoring functionof system is a function which allows for listing of optical levels orstates of the system, which allows for setting the system, or whichallows for listing of the self-diagnosis results of the system.

In the information processing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment,such three types of functions are changed from one function into anotherdepending on the selection state of a function selection object 501 suchas an icon which is displayed within a display window. In theinformation processing apparatus 100, GUIs related to the respectivefunctions are displayed on a function display area 503 within thedisplay window.

As an example shown in FIG. 5, when the object of “Control Panel” isselected, the overhead view function of system (control panel mode) ismainly provided among the three types of functions described above.Also, when the object of “File Manage” is selected, the componentmanagement function of system (file manage mode) is mainly providedamong the three types of functions described above. Also, when theobject of “System Manage” is selected, the monitoring function of system(system manage mode) is mainly provided among the three types offunctions described above.

The control panel mode provides functions which allows for listing of aplurality of parameters of the camera head on a category-by-categorybasis as well as a function which allows for checking or controllingeach of the camera heads. The control panel mode provides functionswhich allows for checking or controlling basic parameters of the camerahead, a function which allows for checking or controlling paint typeparameters of the camera head, a function which allows for checking orcontrolling a maintenance type parameter of the camera head, and afunction which allows for various settings of the camera head.

In the file manage mode, files related to a camera head 10 are managed.The file manage mode provides a function for managing a scene file of acamera, a function for generating a snapshot file where each presentstate of all the cameras connected to the system is filed, and afunction for managing a file other than the scene file.

The system manage mode provides a function for performing an overheadview of a state of the camera head connected to the system. The systemmanage mode provides a function for comparing or controlling byperforming an overhead view of parameters of all the camera heads 10connected to the system, a function for performing an overhead view ofoptical levels or cable state of the camera head 10 having an opticaltransmission function, a function for associating a camera head 10 orCCU 20 to be controlled with an RCP 30, and a function for providingservice information such as a self-diagnosis result, model name, orserial number.

In an example shown in FIG. 5, a GUI in a case of selecting the “systemmanage mode” is illustrated. The system manage mode provides variousfunctions as described above. Among them, in the illustrated example,GUI in a case of selecting a function of “RCP Assignment” is showed. Thefunction of “RCP Assignment” associates an RCP with a camera or CCU tobe controlled.

With the function of RCP Assignment, as shown in FIG. 5, the camera head10 and RCP 30 connected to the system 1 are listed, and thus it ispossible to set which one of the camera head 10 will be associated withwhich one of the RCP 30. In the illustrated example, the “RCP 2” isassociated with the “camera head 2”, and the “RCP 3” is associated withthe “camera head 3”.

In the GUI shown in FIG. 5, when a user operation associates a camerahead 10 with an RCP 30, the central control unit 101 generatescorrespondence relationship information indicating a correspondencerelationship between the camera head 10 with the RCP 30. The centralcontrol unit 101 may store the generated correspondence relationshipinformation in the storage unit 111 (to be described later). Thecorrespondence relationship information is stored as a part of cameraand RCP setting data in the storage unit 111. Also, the central controlunit 101 may store the generated correspondence relationship informationin an external storage unit (for example, a memory provided in the MSU40) of the information processing apparatus 100.

Furthermore, data format of the correspondence relationship informationgenerated by the central control unit 101 is not limited to anyparticular format; the data format may be a format such as a lookuptable or database.

Moreover, the central control unit 101 may store what kind of parameteris set in the storage unit 111 as a setting screen state data in the GUIshown in the display window.

In an example shown in FIG. 6, a GUI in a case of selecting the “controlpanel mode” is illustrated. When the control panel mode is selected, thecentral control unit 101, as shown in FIG. 6, causes the functiondisplay area 503 to display a camera selection window 505 for selectinga camera head and a control panel mode tab 507.

The central control unit 101 causes the camera selection window 505 todisplay a list of the camera heads 10 connected to the system. Thecentral control unit 101 causes the control panel mode tab 507 todisplay a GUI which is used to set various functions performed by thecontrol panel mode function. In addition, a GUI which will be displayedon the control panel mode tab 507 is omitted in FIG. 6.

When a user operates the GUI which is displayed on the control panelmode tab 507, information related to the user operation is notified froma user operation information obtaining unit 105 (to be described later)to the central control unit 101. The central control unit 101 causes adisplay control unit 103 (to be described later) to modify content whichis displayed in the display window depending on the user operation, andspecifies a control content corresponding to the user operation. Thecentral control unit 101 also outputs the specified control content to acamera and RCP control unit 107 (to be described later). The camera andRCP control unit 107 generates a control signal for controlling a cameraor a RCP based on the control content corresponding to the useroperation notified from the central control unit 101, and then thecamera and RCP control unit 107 notifies the control signal to therelevant camera or RCP. This enables the relevant camera or RCP to becontrolled by the information processing apparatus 100.

The ON/OFF state of the “RCP Linkage function” as described above can beset in the control panel mode. As shown in FIG. 6, when the RCP Linkagefunction is set to “ON” by the user operation, the central control unit101 allows the RCP 30 associated with the RCP Linkage function tocontrol the camera head displayed on the camera selection window 505.For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the central control unit101 associates the RCP 30 of ID=1 with the RCP Linkage function.

When a user selects a camera head in the camera selection window 505 ina state that the RCP Linkage function is set to ON, informationindicating that user operation was done is notified from the useroperation information obtaining unit 105 (to be described later) to thecentral control unit 101. When the central control unit 101 specifieswhich one of the camera heads has been selected by the user on the basisof the user operation information, the central control unit 101 causesthe display control unit 103 (to be described later) to modify thecontent which is displayed on the camera selection window 505. Inaddition, the central control unit 101 outputs information related tothe specified camera head to a correspondence relationship informationchange unit 109 (to be described later). The correspondence relationshipinformation change unit 109 changes the correlation of the RCPassociated with the RCP Linkage function based on the informationrelated to camera head notified from the central control unit 101. Thisallows the RCP associated with the RCP Linkage function to follow theresult selected by using the camera selection window 505 in theinformation processing apparatus 100 according to the presentembodiment.

In this way, the central control unit 101 according to the presentembodiment is a processing unit which centrally controls the functionsas a MSU of the information processing apparatus 100.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the display control unit 103 according to thepresent embodiment will be described.

The display control unit 103 is implemented by, for example, a CPU, aROM, a RAM, and an output device. The display control unit 103 controlsthe display screen of a display device such as a display included in theinformation processing apparatus 100 or a display device such as adisplay provided at outside the information processing apparatus 100.More specifically, the display control unit 103 controls a displayscreen when an execution screen of the MSU software executed by thecentral control unit 101 is displayed on a display device. This enablesthe user of the information processing apparatus 100 to easily know eachstate of various functions provided from the MSU software being executedby the central control unit 101.

The user operation information obtaining unit 105 is implemented by, forexample, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an input device. The user operationinformation obtaining unit 105 specifies the operation (the operationdone by a user) performed for an input device such as a keyboard, mouse,or touch panel, and generates user operation information related to theuser operation. The user operation information obtaining unit 105 thenoutputs the generated user operation information to the central controlunit 101. This enables the central control unit 101 to know what kind ofoperation has been performed for the information processing apparatus100 (more specifically, the MSU software being executed) by the user,thereby providing the function corresponding to the user operation tothe user.

The camera and RCP control unit 107 is implemented by, for example, aCPU, a ROM, a RAM, and a communication device. The camera and RCPcontrol unit 107 obtains information which is related to a controlcontent corresponding to the user operation and is outputted from thecentral control unit 101, thereby knowing what kind of content the useroperation corresponds. The camera and RCP control unit 107 thengenerates a control signal for controlling a camera head or an RCP basedon the known control content, and outputs the generated control signalto the relevant camera head 10 or RCP 30. Thus, the operation that theuser wants to perform for the camera head 10 or RCP 30 can be executedby notifying the control signal to the relevant camera head 10 or RCP30.

The camera and RCP control unit 107 can refer to a setting screen statedata or a camera and RCP setting data stored in a storage unit 111 (tobe described later) as necessary when it generates the control signalcorresponding to the user operation.

The correspondence relationship information change unit 109 isimplemented by, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and a communicationdevice. The correspondence relationship information change unit 109changes correspondence relationship information depending on the useroperation. The correspondence relationship information indicates thecorrespondence relationship between a camera head 10 and the RCP 30which can operate the camera head 10. The camera head 10 and the RCP 30are associated with each other among a plurality of camera heads 10 anda plurality of RCPs 30 connected to the system.

Specifically, when the RCP Linkage function is set to ON and a camerahead is selected by the user operation in the camera selection window505 of the control panel mode shown in FIG. 6, the correspondencerelationship information change unit 109 performs the following process.When the user selects a camera head 10 by operating the camera selectionwindow 505, the central control unit 101 specifies which camera head 10is selected among the camera heads connected to the system based on theuser operation information outputted from the user operation informationobtaining unit 105, and the central control unit 101 outputs thespecified result to the correspondence relationship information changeunit 109. The correspondence relationship information change unit 109specifies an RCP 30 associated with the RCP Linkage function byreferring to a setting screen state data or a camera and RCP settingdata stored in a storage unit 111 (to be described later). Thecorrespondence relationship information change unit 109 then changes thecamera head 10 associated with the specified RCP 30 into the camera head10 notified from the central control unit 101.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the correspondencerelationship information according to the present embodiment. In anexample shown in FIG. 7, it is assumed that the correspondencerelationship information is information where identification information(ID number) assigned to an RCP is associated with identificationinformation (ID number) assigned to the camera head which can beoperated by the RCP. In this case, when the RCP Linkage function isassociated with the RCP of RCP ID=4, the correspondence relationshipinformation change unit 109 dynamically changes the ID of the camerahead corresponding to the RCP of RCP ID=4, depending on the useroperation related to the camera head. The camera head operable by theRCP of RCP ID=4 can be changed whenever necessary depending on the useroperation. Thus, any of the camera heads 10 can be operated by using theRCP 30 associated with the RCP Linkage function.

In this regard, the correspondence relationship information change unit109 may change the correspondence relationship information which isstored in the MSU 40, a storage unit 111 or the like in a format such asa lookup table or database. Also, the correspondence relationshipinformation change unit 109 may directly change the correspondencerelationship information related to the information processing apparatus100 by accessing the camera head 10, the CCU 20, or the RCP 30 storingthe correspondence relationship information.

In addition, when any one camera head 10 is associated with any one RCP30 by using the RCP Linkage function, there may be the case where aplurality of RCPs 30 are at least temporarily associated with a singlecamera head 10. In this case, between the RCP 30 that has beenassociated previously and the RCP 30 that is associated by the RCPLinkage function, a way to decide an RCP having a higher priority overother RCP can be appropriately set in the system. In other words, therelevant camera head 10 may be controlled by the RCP 30 associated bythe RCP Linkage in preference to another RCP. Also, when there is noinconsistency in the control content, the relevant camera head 10 may becontrolled by both of the RCPs 30. In addition, the priority of controlamong a plurality of RCPs may be set based on other priority informationrelated to the priority of RCPs.

The storage unit 111 is implemented by a RAM or other storage deviceincluded in the information processing apparatus 100. The storage unit111 stores a setting screen state data which indicates a status of asetting screen of the MSU software, a camera and RCP setting data inwhich the setting of a camera or RCP is described, or the like. Inaddition, the correspondence relationship information described abovemay be stored as a part of the camera and RCP setting data. Also, thecorrespondence relationship information and the camera and RCP settingdata may be stored separately. Also, a variety of parameters or interimreports of a process to be saved at a time when the informationprocessing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment performsany process, a variety of types of database or program, or the like areappropriately recorded on the storage unit 111. The central control unit101, the display control unit 103, the user operation informationobtaining unit 105, the camera and RCP control unit 107, thecorrespondence relationship information change unit 109 and so on canfreely read and write data from and to the storage unit 111.

The exemplary functions of the information processing apparatus 100according to the present embodiment have been described. The respectivecomponents described above may be configured using general purposeelements or circuits, and may be configured by hardware dedicated forthe function of the respective components. Alternatively, all of thefunctions of the components may be performed by a CPU or the like.Accordingly, the configuration to be used may be changed as appropriatein accordance with the technical level in this field at the time whenthe present embodiment is carried out.

It is possible to make a computer program for realizing the functions ofthe above-described information processing apparatus according to thepresent embodiment, and the computer program can be installed on apersonal computer and the like. Further, a computer-readable recordingmedium storing such computer program can be provided. Examples of therecording medium include a magnetic disk, an optical disk, amagneto-optical disk, and a flash memory. Further, the above computerprogram may be distributed by, for example, a network, without using therecording medium.

<Procedure of Process for Remote Control Panel>

Subsequently, referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, an example procedure of aprocess performed by a remote control panel (RCP) 30 will be brieflydescribed. FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are flowcharts illustrating an exampleprocedure of a process performed in an RCP.

(Process Flow of RCP in a Steady State)

First, a brief description will be made of an exemplary procedure of aprocess performed by an RCP in a steady state where a user operation isnot performed for the RCP 30.

In a steady state, a camera control unit 301 of the RCP 30 conducts aninquiry of the information processing apparatus 100 or MSU 40 andobtains ID (camera ID) of a camera head associated with the RCP 30 (stepS11). The camera control unit 301 then stores the camera ID obtainedfrom the information processing apparatus 100 or MSU 40 in a storageunit 307 which is implemented by a memory, storage device or the likeprovided in the RCP 30 (step S13). This enables the RCP 30 to specify adestination to transmit a control signal for controlling the camerahead.

The camera control unit 301 then requests the display control unit 305to display the camera ID stored in the storage unit 307 on a displayunit (for example, the display panel 39 shown in FIG. 2). The displaycontrol unit 305 causes the display unit to display the camera ID storedin the storage unit 307 in response to the request from the cameracontrol unit 301 (step S15). This enables an operator of the RCP 30 toeasily know which one of the RCPs can operate which one of the cameraheads.

The camera control unit 301 then determines whether or not the userperforms an operation for terminating control of the camera (step S17).If it is determined that the user do not perform the operation forterminating control of the camera, then the camera control unit 301returns the process to step S11 and terminates the process. Alternately,if it is determined that the user performs the operation for terminatingcontrol of the camera, the camera control unit 301 terminates the cameracontrol process.

(Process on Performing User Operation)

Next, the process flow of RCP 30 in the case where the user operation isperformed for the RCP 30 will be briefly described with reference toFIG. 9.

When any of a variety of buttons 35, knobs 37, or the like provided inthe RCP 30 is operated by the user, the user operation informationobtaining unit 303 generates user operation information corresponding tothe content of user operation and outputs it to the camera control unit301. The camera control unit 301 generates a camera control signalcorresponding to the user operation information based on the useroperation information (step S21).

Next, the camera control unit 301 outputs the generated camera controlsignal to a camera head which is corresponded to the camera ID stored inthe storage unit 307 (step S23). By doing so, the control according tothe user operation can be performed for a camera head 10 associated withthe RCP 30.

Subsequently, the camera control unit 301 determines whether or not anew user operation is performed (step S25). If it is determined that anew user operation is performed for the RCP 30 by the user, then the RCP30 returns the process to step S21 and continues the control process. Onthe other hand, if it is determined that a new user operation is notperformed for the RCP 30 by the user, the RCP 30 terminates the cameracontrol process.

In this way, there are two kinds of processes for the RCP 30 associatedwith any one of the camera heads 10. That is, there are processes in thestates where the user operation is not performed and where the useroperation is performed.

<Information Processing Method>

Next, referring to FIG. 10, a process of the information processingmethod (more specifically, a method of correspondence relationshipinformation change process) performed in the information processingapparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process of aninformation processing method according to the present embodiment.

The central control unit 101 of the information processing apparatus 100refers to, for example, a setting screen state data stored in thestorage unit 111 and checks the ON/OFF state of RCP Linkage function(step S101). The central control unit 101 determines the ON/OFF state ofRCP Linkage function (step S103). If it is determined that state of RCPLinkage function is OFF, the central control unit 101 terminates thecorrespondence relationship information change process.

On the other hand, if it is determined that state of RCP Linkagefunction is ON, the central control unit 101 refers to data such as acamera and RCP setting data stored in the storage unit 111 or the likeand obtains identification information (for example, ID number) of theRCP associated with the RCP Linkage function (step S105).

The central control unit 101 determines whether or not a camera selectoperation is performed by a user (step S107). If it is determined thatthe camera select operation is performed, the central control unit 101outputs identification information (for example, ID number) of thecamera head selected by the user operation to the correspondencerelationship information change unit 109. The correspondencerelationship information change unit 109 associates an RCP with a camerahead selected by the user operation (step S109). In this case, the RCPis associated with the RCP Linkage function. Also, the association isperformed on the basis of the identification information of the camerahead selected by the user, and the identification information isoutputted from the central control unit 101. More specifically, forexample, in the correspondence relationship information shown in FIG. 7,the identification information of a camera head which is correlated withan RCP associated with the RCP Linkage function is changed into theidentification information selected by the user operation. This enablesa camera head selected by the user operation to be controlled by the RCPassociated with the RCP Linkage function.

The central control unit 101 then determines whether or not the RCPLinkage function is OFF (step S111). If it is not determined that theRCP Linkage function is OFF, then the central control unit 101 returnsthe process to step S107 and continues the process. On the other hand,if it is determined that the RCP Linkage function is OFF, then thecentral control unit 101 terminates the process of changing incorrespondence relationship information.

By performing the processes as described above, since the correspondencerelationship information is changed for an RCP associated with the RCPLinkage function when a user selects a camera head by using the MSUsoftware, the RCP can automatically trace the setting of MSU software,thereby controlling a camera head selected by the user. This enables asingle RCP located near the information processing apparatus 100 tocontrol any camera head selected by the camera select function of theMSU software by associating the RCP located near the informationprocessing apparatus 100 with the RCP Linkage function. Therefore, withthe information processing apparatus and information processing methodaccording to the present embodiment, it is possible to control aplurality of camera heads without impairing operability, therebyimproving user's convenience.

(Hardware Configuration)

Next, the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will bedescribed in detail with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a blockdiagram for illustrating the hardware configuration of the informationprocessing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

The information processing apparatus 100 mainly includes a CPU 901, aROM 903, and a RAM 905. Furthermore, the information processingapparatus 100 also includes a host bus 907, a bridge 909, an externalbus 911, an interface 913, an input device 915, an output device 917, astorage device 919, a drive 921, a connection port 923, and acommunication device 925.

The CPU 901 serves as an arithmetic processing apparatus and a controldevice, and controls the overall operation or a part of the operation ofthe information processing apparatus 100 according to various programsrecorded in the ROM 903, the RAM 905, the storage device 919, or aremovable recording medium 927. The ROM 903 stores programs, operationparameters, and the like used by the CPU 901. The RAM 905 primarilystores programs that the CPU 901 uses and parameters and the likevarying as appropriate during the execution of the programs. These areconnected with each other via the host bus 907 configured from aninternal bus such as a CPU bus or the like.

The host bus 907 is connected to the external bus 911 such as a PCI(Peripheral Component Interconnect/Interface) bus via the bridge 909.

The input device 915 is an operation means operated by a user, such as amouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, buttons, a switch and a lever. Also,the input device 915 may be a remote control means (a so-called remotecontrol) using, for example, infrared light or other radio waves, or maybe an externally connected device 929 such as a mobile phone or a PDAconforming to the operation of the information processing apparatus 100.Furthermore, the input device 915 generates an input signal based on,for example, information which is input by a user with the aboveoperation means, and is configured from an input control circuit foroutputting the input signal to the CPU 901. The user of the informationprocessing apparatus 100 can input various data to the informationprocessing apparatus 100 and can instruct the information processingapparatus 100 to perform processing by operating this input apparatus915.

The output device 917 is configured from a device capable of visually oraudibly notifying acquired information to a user. Examples of suchdevice include display devices such as a CRT display device, a liquidcrystal display device, a plasma display device, an EL display deviceand lamps, audio output devices such as a speaker and a headphone, aprinter, a mobile phone, a facsimile machine, and the like. For example,the output device 917 outputs a result obtained by various processingsperformed by the information processing apparatus 100. Morespecifically, the display device displays, in the form of texts orimages, a result obtained by various processes performed by theinformation processing apparatus 100. On the other hand, the audiooutput device converts an audio signal such as reproduced audio data andsound data into an analog signal, and outputs the analog signal.

The storage device 919 is a device for storing data configured as anexample of a storage unit of the information processing apparatus 100and is used to store data. The storage device 919 is configured from,for example, a magnetic storage device such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive),a semiconductor storage device, an optical storage device, or amagneto-optical storage device. This storage device 919 stores programsto be executed by the CPU 901, various data, and various data obtainedfrom the outside.

The drive 921 is a reader/writer for recording medium, and is embeddedin the information processing apparatus 100 or attached externallythereto. The drive 921 reads information recorded in the attachedremovable recording medium 927 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk,a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, and outputs the readinformation to the RAM 905. Furthermore, the drive 921 can write in theattached removable recording medium 927 such as a magnetic disk, anoptical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory. Theremovable recording medium 927 is, for example, a DVD medium, an HD-DVDmedium, or a Blu-ray medium. The removable recording medium 927 may be aCompactFlash (CF; registered trademark), a flash memory, an SD memorycard (Secure Digital Memory Card), or the like. Alternatively, theremovable recording medium 927 may be, for example, an IC card(Integrated Circuit Card) equipped with a non-contact IC chip or anelectronic appliance.

The connection port 923 is a port for allowing devices to directlyconnect to the information processing apparatus 100. Examples of theconnection port 923 include a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, anIEEE1394 port, a SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) port, and thelike. Other examples of the connection port 923 include an RS-232C port,an optical audio terminal, an HDMI (High-Definition MultimediaInterface) port, and the like. By the externally connected apparatus 929connecting to this connection port 923, the information processingapparatus 100 directly obtains various data from the externallyconnected apparatus 929 and provides various data directly to theexternally connected apparatus 929.

The communication device 925 is a communication interface configuredfrom, for example, a communication device for connecting to acommunication network 931. The communication device 925 is, for example,a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network), Bluetooth (registeredtrademark), a communication card for WUSB (Wireless USB), or the like.Alternatively, the communication device 925 may be a router for opticalcommunication, a router for ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line), amodem for various communications, or the like. This communication device925 can transmit and receive signals and the like in accordance with apredetermined protocol such as TCP/IP on the Internet and with othercommunication devices, for example. The communication network 931connected to the communication device 925 is configured from a networkand the like, which is connected via wire or wirelessly, and may be, forexample, the Internet, a home LAN, infrared communication, radio wavecommunication, satellite communication, or the like.

Heretofore, an example of the hardware configuration capable ofrealizing the functions of the information processing apparatus 100according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has been shown.Each of the structural elements described above may be configured usinga general-purpose material, or may be configured from hardware dedicatedto the function of each structural element. Accordingly, the hardwareconfiguration to be used can be changed as appropriate according to thetechnical level at the time of carrying out the present embodiment.

Moreover, the hardware configurations of the remote control panel 20,the camera control unit 30, and the master setup unit 40 according tothe embodiments of the present disclosure are similar to the hardwareconfiguration of the information processing apparatus 100 according tothe embodiments of the present disclosure, the effects capable of beingobtained from their hardware configuration are similar to each other,hence the details are omitted herein.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Additionally, the following configurations are also within thetechnological scope of the present disclosure.

(1)

An information processing apparatus including:

a correspondence relationship information change unit for changing acorrespondence relationship information indicating each correspondencerelationship between a plurality of image pickup devices and a pluralityof controllers, the image pickup devices and the controllers beingassociated with each other, the controller being used to operate atleast one of the plurality of image pickup devices, and the controllerbeing capable of operating the image pickup device associated with thecontroller.

(2)

The information processing apparatus according to (1), wherein thecorrespondence relationship information change unit changes the imagepickup device associated with a predetermined controller by thecorrespondence relationship information in response to a user operation.

(3)

The information processing apparatus according to (1) or (2), whereinthe plurality of image pickup devices are image pickup devices used forbroadcasting.

(4)

The information processing apparatus according to (2) or (3), whereinthe correspondence relationship information change unit changes contentof a database in which the correspondence relationship information isdescribed, in response to a user operation.

(5)

The information processing apparatus according to any of (1) to (4),further including:

a control unit for directly controlling the image pickup device and thecontroller.

(6)

The information processing apparatus according to any of (1) to (5),wherein the controller controls at least one of a state of iris and acolor balance in the image pickup device associated with the controllerin the correspondence relationship information.

(7)

An information processing method including:

changing correspondence relationship information indicating eachcorrespondence relationship between a plurality of image pickup devicesand a plurality of controllers, the image pickup devices and thecontrollers being associated with each other, the controller being usedto operate at least one of the plurality of image pickup devices, andthe controller being capable of operating the image pickup deviceassociated with the controller.

(8)

A program for causing a computer to realize:

a correspondence relationship information change function for changingcorrespondence relationship information indicating each correspondencerelationship between a plurality of image pickup devices and a pluralityof controllers, the image pickup devices and the controllers beingassociated with each other, the controller being used to operate atleast one of the plurality of image pickup devices, and the controllerbeing capable of operating the image pickup device associated with thecontroller.

(9)

An information processing system including:

a plurality of image pickup devices;

a plurality of controllers for operating at least one of the pluralityof image pickup devices; and

an information processing apparatus including a correspondencerelationship information change unit for changing correspondencerelationship information indicating each correspondence relationshipbetween the image pickup devices and the controllers, the image pickupdevices and the controllers being associated with each other, and thecontroller being capable of operating the image pickup device associatedwith the controller.

The present disclosure contains subject matter related to that disclosedin Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2011-187752 filed in theJapan Patent Office on Aug. 30, 2011, the entire content of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing apparatus, comprising:one or more processors configured to: generate correspondencerelationship information indicating association between a plurality ofcamera controllers and a plurality of image pickup devices, wherein eachof the plurality of camera controllers is used to operate an associatedone of the plurality of image pickup devices; store the generatedcorrespondence relationship information; change the storedcorrespondence relationship information such that the changedcorrespondence relationship information indicates a new associationbetween at least one of the plurality of camera controllers and at leastone of the plurality of image pickup devices; and control a displayscreen to display the changed correspondence relationship information,wherein the displayed correspondence relationship information listsassociation of at least a first camera controller and a second cameracontroller of the plurality of camera controllers with an associatedfirst image pickup device and an associated second image pickup deviceof the plurality of image pickup devices, respectively, on the displayscreen.
 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the one or more processors are further configured to change thecorrespondence relationship information to change an association of theone of the plurality of image pickup devices with one of the pluralityof camera controllers based on a user operation.
 3. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality ofimage pickup devices are used to broadcast.
 4. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one or moreprocessors are further configured to change content of a database inwhich the correspondence relationship information is described based ona user operation.
 5. The information processing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured tocontrol the plurality of image pickup devices and the plurality ofcamera controllers.
 6. The information processing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein one of the plurality of camera controllers control atleast one of a state of iris or a color balance in the associated one ofthe plurality of image pickup devices.
 7. The information processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one or more processors arefurther configured to generate a table based on a plurality ofparameters related to the plurality of image pickup devices.
 8. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one ofthe plurality of camera controllers is associated to one of theplurality of image pickup devices.
 9. The information processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of cameracontrollers is associated with one of the plurality of image pickupdevices based on priority associated with the plurality of cameracontrollers.
 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim1, wherein at least two of the plurality of camera controllers areassociated with one of the plurality of image pickup devices.
 11. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the oneor more processors are configured to generate the correspondencerelationship information based on a priority associated with each of theplurality of camera controllers.
 12. The information processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the displayed correspondencerelationship information indicates the plurality of camera controllersthat control each of the plurality of image pickup devices.
 13. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein based onan association of the first camera controller and the second cameracontroller with the first image pickup device, the first cameracontroller, having a priority higher than the second camera controller,is configured to control the first image pickup device.
 14. Aninformation processing method, comprising: in an information processingapparatus: generating correspondence relationship information indicatingassociation between a plurality of camera controllers and a plurality ofimage pickup devices, wherein each of the plurality of cameracontrollers is used to operate an associated one of the plurality ofimage pickup devices; storing the generated correspondence relationshipinformation; changing the stored correspondence relationship informationsuch that the changed correspondence relationship information indicatesa new association between at least one of the plurality of cameracontrollers and at least one of the plurality of image pickup devices;and controlling a display screen to display the changed correspondencerelationship information, wherein the displayed correspondencerelationship information lists association of at least a first cameracontroller and a second camera controller of the plurality of cameracontrollers with an associated first image pickup device and anassociated second image pickup device of the plurality of image pickupdevices, respectively, on the display screen.
 15. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium having stored thereon, computer-executableinstructions, which when executed by a computer, cause the computer toexecute operations, the operations comprising: generating correspondencerelationship information indicating association between a plurality ofcamera controllers and a plurality of image pickup devices, wherein eachof the plurality of camera controllers is used to operate an associatedone of the plurality of image pickup devices; storing the generatedcorrespondence relationship information; changing the storedcorrespondence relationship information such that the changedcorrespondence relationship information indicates a new associationbetween at least one of the plurality of camera controllers and at leastone of the plurality of image pickup devices; and controlling a displayscreen to display the changed correspondence relationship information,wherein the displayed correspondence relationship information listsassociation of at least a first camera controller and a second cameracontroller of the plurality of camera controllers with an associatedfirst image pickup device and an associated second image pickup deviceof the plurality of image pickup devices, respectively, on the displayscreen.
 16. An information processing system, comprising: a plurality ofimage pickup devices; a plurality of camera controllers to operate atleast one of the plurality of image pickup devices; and one or moreprocessors configured to: generate correspondence relationshipinformation indicating association between the plurality of cameracontrollers and the plurality of image pickup devices, wherein each ofthe plurality of camera controllers is used to operate an associated oneof the plurality of image pickup devices; store the generatedcorrespondence relationship information; change the storedcorrespondence relationship information such that the changedcorrespondence relationship information indicates a new associationbetween at least one of the plurality of camera controllers and at leastone of the plurality of image pickup devices; and control a displayscreen to display the changed correspondence relationship information,wherein the displayed correspondence relationship information listsassociation of at least a first camera controller and a second cameracontroller of the plurality of camera controllers with an associatedfirst image pickup device and an associated second image pickup deviceof the plurality of image pickup devices, respectively, on the displayscreen.
 17. The information processing system according to claim 16,wherein each of the plurality of camera controllers determinesconditions of a black balance and a flare balance in the associated oneof the plurality of image pickup devices.